Plant Anatomy & Physiology

By: Johnny M. Jessup

Agricultural Instructor/FFA Advisor
The Four Basic Parts of Plants
Leaves
Stems
Roots
Flowers
Leaves
Functions
Make food through photosynthesis
Site of gas exchange
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Store food
Tissues of the Leaf (Epidermis)
Cuticle
Waxy substance that
covers the leaves &
stems
Waterproof layer
that keeps water in
plants
Tissues of the Leaf (Epidermis)
Stomata
Openings in the
epidermis mainly
located on the
underside of leaves
Exchange of gases
Tissues of the Leaf (Epidermis)
Guard Cells
Two cells located on
each side of stomata
Open and closes
stomata
Tissues of the Leaf
(Mesophyll Layer)
Palisade mesophyll
Primary site of photosynthesis
Spongy mesophyll
Contains air & chloroplasts
Site of photosynthesis and gas exchange
Tissues of the Leaf
Vascular Bundles
Called veins
In spongy mesophyll
Phloem moves food
from leaf to the rest
of the plant
Xylem moves water
& minerals up to
leaves from roots

Tissues of the Leaf
External Parts of the Leaf
Petiole
Leaf stalk or part that connects the leaf to
the stem.
Blade
The large, flat part of a leaf.
Midrib
The large center vein.
External Parts of the Leaf
Leaf Forms
Leaf Margins
Leaf Tips
Leaf Bases
Leaf Arrangements (Simple)
Leaf Arrangements
(Compound)
Leaf Crops
Stems
Functions
Movement of materials
Water & minerals from roots to leaves
Manufactured food from leaves to roots
Support leaves & reproductive structures
Food storage

External Stem Structure
Lenticels
Breathing pores.
Bud Scale Scars
Show where terminal buds have been
located.
Leaf Scars
Show where leaves were attached.
External Stem Structure
Terminal Bud
Bud on the end of the stem.
Axillary Lateral Bud
Bud on the side of the stem.

External Stem Structure
Internal Stem Structure
Xylem
The tissue that transports water & nutrients up
from roots to stems & leaves.
Phloem
Tissue that transports food down from leaves to
roots.
Cambium
Thin, green, actively growing tissue located
between bark & wood and produces all new stems
cells.
Internal Stem Structure
Bark
Old, inactive phloem.
Heartwood
Old, inactive xylem.
Sapwood
New, active xylem.
Internal Stem Structure
(Monocots)
Vascular bundles
contain both xylem
& phloem.
Examples:
Grasses
Corn
Monocot Stems
(Vascular Bundle)
Internal Stem Structure
(Dicots)
Plant stems have
xylem & phloem
separated by the
cambium.
Example:
Trees
Internal Stem Structure
(Dicots)
Specialized Types of Stems
Corm
Underground
Solid, fleshy, scale
covered
Examples
Gladiolus
Crocus
Specialized Types of Stems
Bulb
Layers of fleshy
scales that overlap
each other
Underground stem
Examples
Tulips
Lilies
Onions

Specialized Types of Stems
Tubers
Food Storage Area
Short, thick
underground stem
Examples
Potato
Caladium
Specialized Types of Stems
Crown
Closely grouped
stems or plantlets
Just above or
below ground
Examples
African violet
Ferns
Specialized Types of Stems
Spurs
Short stems found
on woody limbs
adapted for
increased fruit
production
Examples
Apple
Pear
Specialized Types of Stems
Rhizomes
Underground stems
that produce roots
on the lower surface
and extend leaves
and flower shoots
above ground
Examples
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Specialized Types of Stems
Stolens
Stem that grows
horizontally above
the soil surface
Examples
Strawberries
Airplane Plant
Stem Crops
Roots
Functions
Anchor the plant
Absorb water & minerals
Store food
Propagate or reproduce some plants
Different Types of Roots
Tap Root
One main root, no
nodes
Continuation of the
primary root
Ideal for anchorage
Penetration is
greater for water
Storage area for food

Different Types of Roots
Fibrous Root
Many finely branched
secondary roots
Shallow roots cover
a large area
More efficient
absorption of water &
minerals
Roots hold the soil to
prevent erosion

Different Types of Roots
Aerial Roots
Clinging air roots
Short roots that grow
horizontally from the
stems
Roots that fasten the
plant to a support
Absorptive air roots
Absorb moisture from
the air

Different Types of Roots
Adventitious Roots
Develop in places
other than nodes
Form on cuttings &
rhizomes

External Parts of Roots
Root Cap
Indicates
growth of
new cells.


External Parts of Roots
Root Hairs
Tiny one celled hair-
like extensions of the
epidermal cells
located near the tips
of roots.
Increase surface
area.
Absorb water &
minerals.
Internal Parts of Roots
Much like those of stems with phloem,
cambium and xylem layers.
Phloem
The outer layer.
Carries food down the plant.
Xylem
The inner layer.
Carries water & minerals up to the stem.
Root Crops
Flowers
Function
Contain the sexual
organs for the plant.
Produces fruit, which
protects, nourishes
and carries seeds.
Attracts insects for
pollination.

Parts of the Flower
Sepals
Outer covering of the
flower bud.
Protects the stamens
and pistils when
flower is in bud
stage.
Collectively known as
the calyx.
Parts of the Flower
Petals
Brightly colored
Protects stamen &
pistils.
Attracts pollinating
insects.
Collectively called
the corolla.
Parts of the Flower (Stamen)
Male reproductive
part
Anther
Produces pollen
Filament
Supports the anther

Parts of the Flower (Pistil)
Female reproductive
part
Ovary
Enlarged portion at
base of pistil
Produces ovules
which develop into
seeds
Stigma
Holds the pollen
grains
Parts of the Flower (Pistil)
Style
Connects the stigma with the ovary
Supports the stigma so that it can be
pollinated
Parts of the Flower
Imperfect Flower
Male or female
reproductive organs
not, but not both.
Example:
A male flower has
sepals, petals, and
stamen, but no pistils.
A female flower has
sepals, petals, and
pistils, but no stamen.


Perfect Flowers
Contains both male
and female
reproductive
structures.






Incomplete Flowers
Missing one of the
four major parts of
the flower.
Stamen
Pistil
Sepal
Petal






Complete Flowers
Contains male and
female reproductive
organs along with
petals and sepals.






Flowers
Imperfect flowers are always
incomplete but..
Perfect flowers are not always complete
and..
Complete flowers are always perfect.
Importance of Flowers
Important in florist &
nursery businesses.
Many plants are grown solely
for their flowers.
Plants have flowers to attract insects for
pollination, but people grow them for
beauty & economic value.
Important Flower Crops
Johnny M. Jessup, FFA Advisor
Hobbton High School
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